# NTSB LAX83FA033: Piper PA-28R-201T, N3035M, Coaling, CA, November 11, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 10, 1982, 23:37 local (Nov 11, 1982, 07:37 UTC)
- Place: Coaling, CA
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 10, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70289
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70289/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA033

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,fuel control - pressure excessive (cause)
  - maintenance,adjustment - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fuel system - other
  - engine assembly,piston - overtemperature
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING FLIGHT, THE ENGINE STARTED MISSING, THEN LOST 10 INCHES OF MANIFOLD PRESSURE. HE IMMEDIATELY POSITIONED THE MIXTURE TO FULL RICH, SWITCHED FUEL TANKS AND STARTED THE FUEL BOOST PUMP, BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO WORSEN. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE OIL PRESSURE WENT TO ZERO AND THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT RECEIVED RADAR VECTORS THROUGH CLOUDS TOWARD THE NEAREST AIRPORT, BUT HE WAS UNABLE TO GLIDE THAT FAR. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLANE CRASH LANDED IN AN OPEN FIELD. A TEARDOWN OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE #5 PISTON HAD SUSTAINED PRE- IGNITION/DETONATION BURN THROUGH OF THE RING BELT STRUCTURE BETWEEN THE LOWER SPARK PLUG AND EXHAUST VALVE POSITIONS. THE #5 CONNECTING ROD HAD OVERHEATED TO BEARING DESTRUCTION. EITHER THE CRANKPIN END OF THE ROD OR THE RELEASE CAP HAD RUPTURED THE CASE. THE FUEL PUMP IDLE ADJUSTMENT AND ANEROID HAD BEEN SET TO HIGH PRESSURE (LEAN) AND THE FUEL CONTROL NEEDLE VALVE HAD BEEN ADJUSTED TO HIGH FLOW. THESE SETTING WOULD CAUSE PREIGNITION/DETONATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3035M (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201T (PA-28R-201)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7803161
- Airframe hours: 1297
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-36O-F reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Flight East, Inc.
- Registered owner: Charles & June Steeves
- Departed: AI, HAYWARD, CA
- Destination: AI, BURBANK, CA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,180 total, 95 in this make and model, 2,040 as pilot in command, 235 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 135° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 131 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NLC, 15 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19821110058669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821110058669A), Nov 10, 1982: Piper PA28R201T, Coalinga, CA, Destroyed. Engine failed during cruise at 9000 feet. Crash occurred during emergency landing.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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